Yuja Wang's age is 35. It would never be my intention to snub or disengage with an audience. Riiiight. She was paid to play for you, not coddle your fragile ego. Many are good, some are great, but none achieve her consistent level of artistic brilliance and innovative virtuosity. . Its incredibly short-sighted to say that she should have been professional. In going out on to the stage after an abusive interaction with border officials, she showed that she is a class act, a consummate professional, and a deeply dedicated, audience-first performer. Now I understand what Glenn Gould was talking about when he said, I detest audiences, not in their in their individual components. My audiences and fans sustain and nourish me as an artist.. Seriously. The attention-seeking pianist came on stage in sunglasses at her Vancouver recital on Friday night and refused to acknowledge the audience. She wasnt angry. My white husband didnt believe it happened . She was traumatized and devastated. World-renowned Chinese concert pianist who has performed with groups like Tonhalle Orchestra and New York Philharmonic. This research letter from JAMA is four days old. I ask myself whether it is real or imaginedand then I realize it doesnt matter. Miller went on to offer some advice to Wang: I heard later that she had trouble with the Canadian border getting into Canada. 3. (why did the US get involved again? ! i played along from my seat! Remember we are not selfish and we get MOCKED for wearing masks, we wear it not mainly to protect us but the society as well (prevention, just look at the statistics). BTW, travelers from East Asia *should* expect extra scrutiny given the spate of zoonotic diseases that tend to originate in that part of the world (Covid-19 being only the most recent). No point in ranking injustices as the worst and as acceptable. Its in perspective she was upset, but she played the concert. What else would you have expected her to do?! This thing is in danger of becoming pandemic, and it is far beyond nationality (or ethnicity) now. If I were Yuja Wang . To begin with, Wang's program was . The power of her interpretations emerges from a distinct combination of her exceptional presence on stage and a natural affinity and inquisitive approach to the repertoire, which ranges from Mozart to Gershwin and beyond. Nevertheless, Yuja still gave a stunning recital in Vancouver. Have you any idea how many borders Yuja Wang crosses in a year? Yuja Wangs dresses. Chinese pianist Yuja Wang was subject to 'intense questioning' for over an hour upon arrival in Canada over the weekend,causing her to almost miss her recital that evening at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. Hopefully Ms.Miller has now learnt that next time she should just keep her mouth closed, she has already done herself enough damage. I dont want to say that I dont believe it didnt trouble her. I was mesmerized by her approach to an ambitious program. Your innocent audience, some donning masks to protect themselves from the potential Coronavirus, came to be in your presence for this sold-out concert, and to hear the music and extraordinary talent that you had to share. Read more: Vote for your favourite music to win 1,000 >. Here, playing with guarded poise, Ms. Wang seemed to inhabit a kind of aftermath of the dazed chaos she had depicted in the early-20th-century works on the first half. My recital tour will continue, and I look forward to bringing my program to the audience in San Francisco tonight, and on to New York. Yuja Wang is the world's greatest classical pianist. Yuja Wang performs a program with works by Bach, Beethoven, and Schoenberg, April 10, 2022. Of course, I wasnt at the concert, so I dont know how I would have felt. HOWEVER: the first case in the Western world (outside China) was found in the US! Her international breakthrough came in 2007, when she replaced Martha Argerich as soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. She began picking out melodies on the piano at home, her parents' wedding gift, and received her first piano lessons at the age of six. NL is always obsessed with Ms. Wang, having penned at least half a dozen posts on the inappropriateness of what the artist chooses to wear. This would be a red flag at any border, for anyone of any ethnic appearance. And that some are bestowed with the ability to share it and it is an honour and a blessing to do so. This review was bush league. The wrist was taped, and the artist was whacked out on oxycontin, but managed to play the gig. As it turned out, her behavior was explained by the execrable treatment shed sustained at the hands of the border police that afternoon. I know what you mean, since Ive hardly ever had any, Im glad the concert went well. Telling people they shouldnt feel the way they feel is performing a humanitarian service. Or just got offended because someone decided to wear sunglasses, frankly, Im completely baffled by your attitude here. I went to a Kobrin recital when he was not well. I recall just after 911 I was in line boarding the plane for the Winter Olympics when I was seemingly randomly pulled out of line and searched. Why was she detained? Only an immigrant knows how stressful and upset it can be when being asked and detained at the border control for over an hour. Musicians are human just like anyone else. Thats right: she gave what she could in spite of difficult circumstances. ), in an incident like this my support goes, unconditionally, to the performer. How about killing 200,000 people in Japan with two bombs in 1945? The audience looks at Yujas face when she plays, whereas, all they can see is the back of Ms. Millers head when she conducts. Sure, its their country but I wouldnt have fancied trying to perform in the immediate aftermath. But I dont forgive her bending the facts to fit her argument that she felt snubbed because Yuja didnt smile at her. Two years later, she signed an . are cold and without any reason at all are prepared to attack .. anyone. The petty destructive gossip put forth by Norman Lebrecht is attention seeking and thats it. Were human beings with feelings and most people with any kind of empathy realise that with a live performance, the human element and frailty is part of what you are there for. Ive performed 66 different works with various orchestras and have never once canceled. Are you saying she played in Wuhan in October, two months before the outbreak, and she was detained for that? This does not place you in a lofty position. http://yujawang.com/tour-through-china-with-the-wiener-philharmoniker/. (The UK is the worst culprit, paying insultingly low fees for the honor of being invited to grace its mostly dilapidated halls. Norman Lebrecht was first to break the story on Slipped Disc, prompting vigorous debate in the comment section about the appropriateness of Wangs demeanour onstage, and Millers subsequent criticism. Her sunglasses also made us think she might be ill, to shield her eyes from the bright stage lighting. Although I was traumatized by what happened, I was determined not to cancel the recital, but to go ahead with the performance and not to let the audience down, which included my dear teacher Gary Graffman. What a load of nonsense. My main concern in that moment was to give the best performance I possibly could, and not to allow the audience to be distracted by my swollen eyes or visibly shaken demeanor. In her post, Wang calls out the media for spreading harmful speculation and criticism. Yes, Yuja Wangs demeanour was strange, but we all thought perhaps she was ill. Have a nice day. My heart goes out to anyone else who has, and my hope is that by sharing what happened to me, there can be a much needed conversation and change in protocol to ensure this doesnt happen to anyone else. Out of some 7.5 billion people on Earth, there are maybe 12 who can play as well as Ms. Wang. When will people begin to understand that sometimes its difficult enough getting yourself out of the door, on a plane,negociating everything that involves, showing up at an international venue and playing like a dream without all of the restrictions that Covid has placed on artists. Do you produce anything of value, other than peckish criticisms? I was so upset that I filed a complaint with the airline. Mu ha ha. Hi Saxon, Everything I do on stage is about connecting with people. Music is about the music, not the appearance. . Yuja Wang (n chinez: , pinyin: Wng Yji, n. 10 februarie 1987, Beijing, Republica Popular Chinez) este o pianist de muzic clasic de origine chinez.Ea s-a nscut n Beijing i a nceput s studieze la pian la vrsta de ase ani, continund apoi la Conservatorul Central de Muzic din Beijing i la Curtis Institute of Music din Philadelphia. Anyone who has been to Wuhan and other areas where the virus is known to exist should have lab tests, especially if they will travel internationally. Oh and I should tell you that I have faced discrimination myself on several occasions. As each piece ended, there were sighs of appreciation from the audience, extended applause, and acclaiming shouts. The victim role doesnt fit. Actually, many of us do not understand not cancelling on the day your mother died. Finally, she returned to give TWO encores, smiling and bowing with her hand over her heart to express her gratitude to the audience, also turning to wave to the people sitting in the choir loft (the recital was completely sold out). Given this virus originated in East Asia where by the way almost every pandemic has originated, from Black Death to CV it is perfectly reasonable for Westerners to be wary of East Asians. You obviously learned nothing about empathy growing up. You didnt get your ya-yas, didnt get your stroke, and know you are fussy and peeved. Youre getting all bothered because someone decided to wear sunglass to play a recital? I was left extremely shaken by this experience. Her hands, for instance, stretch twice as wide for their size as normal. Yuja Wang! See how if feels? Clearly accomplished individuals would have been subjected to queries BUT it would have been done sensitive an with respect to the persons stature and expedited His or Her travels. Her refusal to cancel the show despite what had just happened to her highlights her incredible professionalism. Thus, the fear and the vetting is 100% justified, while detaining Ms. Wang is NOT! She was obviously angry. a se voit !!! It would never be my intention to snub or disengage with an audience. I was looking forward to hearing her perform. And by many accounts she played fantastically. I have no sympathy for her. Instead of seeing bigotry in every face I see when I leave my home in the city to less diverse locales, I see my fellow human beings, weak and imperfect, but almost always good at heart. But whatever enjoy your socialist sh!thole wherever you are. Follow usonFacebook,InstagramorTwitterfor all the latest. . By Mark Swed Classical Music Critic. She flew across . You arrogant judgmental arseholes.yes you at Slipped Disc and Tania Miller. Yuja Wang, Piano. She was born in Beijing. They grew increasingly resentful. All safety measures are taken by airlines and airport authorities to keep safe travelers and themselves from this deadly virus. Has anyone considered that she might have violated the Canadian law in some way? . When I was dropped off at the venue for my recital that evening, my eyes were still visibly red and swollen from crying. The reality is that even in a fairly small concert hall, audience members sitting more than a few rows back wouldnt be able to notice red, swollen eyes.. Header image: Lksemburg Filarmoni Orkestras & Yuja Wang at a previous recital. Her playing was possibly affected by her emotions, in that it was strongly emotional, and her Bach didnt sound like Bach if you like, but her mastery of the piano is such that her astounding range of colours, tone and articulations enabled her to present a deeply moving and personal interpretation to all the pieces. What is important is she didnt fawn enough over her fans. I agree that this was racial profiling! When Beethovens Fifth split down the middle, Music crisis is todays top Scottish headline, https://voiceofoc.org/2020/02/yuja-wang-displays-virtuosity-and-temperament-for-a-puzzled-segerstrom-audience/?fbclid=IwAR3lSQgqK0zae02rcnbu2k2BO_r0UTVaJjOdKfFxMsx1xE8TiUVeqfM1e5o, https://twitter.com/YujaWang/status/1231711581081391108?s=20, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yZPrrboTkY, https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/brown-out/, Two women conductors come out for Cate Blanchetts Tar, 7/11 stores play opera to drive away the homeless. But it happened, unexpectedly, hours before a performance and placed in doubt whether she could make her commitment. In most peoples professions it is understood that they may miss work due to likeness or other personal reasons. Select your subscription length below and head to the checkout: Please log in again. Although I was traumatized by what happened, I was determined not to cancel the recital, but to go ahead with the performance and not to let the audience down, which included my dear teacher Gary Graffman. All I can say is, it was really a drag to see that gross tape wrapped on the wrist, and the playing was totally subpar, almost like the artist just really didnt give a darn about the audience, maybe wanted to deliberatly irritate them. One persons entirely subjective reaction. I took a look at her recent schedule and she does not appear to have been in Asia in recent memory. Yes, even those who (in my mind at least) may be less than tolerant of the other., Was the piano playing good? 7.4mm l0.6 25 60100 8 DLC . I was slightly confused with the sunglasses and somewhat sensed that she wasnt entirely in a good mood in the beginning of the concert. Syria? The Norman Lebrechts and Tania Millers out there havent a clue, they really dont. He publishes regularly and writes occasionally. Regarding your comment, I have no idea who Tania Miller is There is a reason. Isaac Stern is said to have played while there were bomb raids in Tel Aviv. pleazzz.traumatic is whats happening to that Chinese tennis player right now.cant believe someone at her level would be that delicate, surely she had music teachers that were far worse? Want more updates on classical music and opera news and reviews? How often has has been to Canada? Music degrees are easy to get. Miss Wang is quite robust, otherwise she would not get through her professional life at all. Yuja Wang brought the requisite star power and overt glamour that nearly filled Disney Hall on Friday night, as the astonishing Chinese pianist reunited with simpatico conductor Gustavo Dudamel . This episode and peoples harsh reaction toward the pianist is what drove Gould to the recording studio and off the concert stage. I was so peeved. I know that I am unfortunately not the only person to have had this kind of traumatic experience, which has shaken me to my core. It would explain their questions I am not familiar with travel inside China but assume her passport would only be marked with entry and exit to the country, so they probably grilled her on where exactly she went. Yeah, that is actually the point of this entire discussion thread. You should have stuck to appreciation of what really counts rather than appearances. Chinese virtuoso pianist Yuja Wang had been in Vancouver on Friday for a concert at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts with the Vancouver Recital Society. Find Yuja Wang tour schedule in Vancouver, concert details, reviews and photos. Im sure everyone did their best, including border service agents, who are instructed to screen travellers who have visited Wuhan, as this one did in October, two months before the outbreak became a serious public-health challenge. The effect was shocking. The young Pierre Boulez wore sunglasses during a conduction because of an eye infection. You are no better. I looked at her schedule back to November missed this by 2 days. . This was a long time ago, but it is a reminder of what can happen in difficult times. Yuja Wang Illuminates Ravel and Gershwin. Ah, Montral Mirabel. On arrival at Vancouver International Airport on Friday, I was detained for over an hour and subjected to intense questioning which I found humiliating and deeply upsetting. . Yuja Wang has an estimated net worth of $20 million, as per celebritynetworth. MAGA and KAG! After Fridays concert, Wang was shamed by critics for her appearance, with one classical music blogger Norman Lebrecht, who runs Slipped Disc labelling her attention-seeking. This will be because of her being visibly Chinese, and perhaps because she was so well-travelled, as someone has suggested. from Asia). Through a small village in Sudtirol (Austria): one for the rich. Bergamo is just few hours away. Only lab tests can reliably determine presence of the disease. I am sure she did her best, after all, she could have cancelled the program but she didnt. Have either of you seen any of Ms. Wangs youtube videos? https://www.wienerphilharmoniker.at/concerts/concert-detail/event-id/%2010042. More the move of an attention seeker than artiste. Michael Tilson Thomas and pianist Yuja Wang take a bow after performing Liszt's Piano Concerto No. Wasnt entirely in a good mood in the beginning of the border police that afternoon a. And upset it can be when being asked and detained at the venue for my recital that evening, eyes. Is actually the point of this entire discussion thread in Vancouver because an. Its in perspective she was detained for that like this my support goes, unconditionally to! Wasnt at the hands of the concert culprit, paying insultingly low fees for the rich Western world ( China. 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